"Erin, kiss me. Please just kiss me. Make me feel something good. Take away this pain. Please."
She didn't need to be asked twice. She kissed him with everything she had and hoped it washed away all traces of the darkness that had made him cry.
Erin vowed to make him smile again. He wouldn't regret what he'd done today. She would make them both happy.
She was determined.
* * * *
Leo found it difficult to remain calm. He continued to gape at Carlie's reaction, confused as to how she could abandon her child and not even look back.
She hadn't even held her baby one last time.
The only good thing that had come out of Carlie's arrival was the stark realization that he loved Erin. This relationship had become more than a bit of fun. It felt real, but as much as he tried to tell her, something held him back. He didn't want to scare her. He knew she'd said those words, but could she possibly mean them? He wasn't exactly the clean-cut, baggage-free boy next door.
Chapter 6
Trying to keep everything as normal as possible, he prepared Joe for bedtime. He kept kissing him, cuddling him, or just staring into his blue eyes. Sadness weighed heavy in his heart whenever he looked at Joe, then again when he caught Erin staring. She didn't interrupt him and he appreciated the time alone with his son. He wasn't feeling sorry for himself; everything he felt was for Joe.
However, he did doubt his ability to care for him. He'd barely managed before Erin. Was it really possible for him to do this?
"Come sit with me," she said when Leo finally closed Joe's bedroom door. She was sitting on the couch, moving her leg so Leo could sit between them.
He leaned his back against her front, closing his eyes and relaxing into her touch. She combed her fingers through his hair, mumbling that he needed another haircut.
"We're going to talk about my hair?" he asked. "Because I'm not really up for such a shallow topic right now."
"So you'd rather talk about Carlie?"
"Not really." He turned, jostling them around the couch until they were lying down. This time it was her back to his front and his lips against her ear. "I don't want to talk at all."
"Oh?"
A huge smile spread across her face. He needed to forget and if he could do it by touching, kissing and making love to her then he would get lost in Erin.
He turned her in his arms, kissing the tip of her nose before thoughts of Carlie entered his head.
"Make me forget, Erin."
He swallowed back tears, feeling so much emotion swamping him that it threatened to spill over.
"It's not that I don't want this, Leo. It's just that I need to say something first."
He raised his brows while he waited for her to speak.
"Tell me," he whispered, cupping her face in his hands.
She kissed him fiercely, clearly avoiding answering him. No matter what had happened here, he still wanted them to be together. When she smoothed his messy hair from his forehead and tried to deepen the kiss, he pulled away, asking her again to talk to him.
"I care about you. I hate seeing you so sad. I've never felt this way about anyone else. Please don't tell me it's wrong or too soon. It's right, and I know you feel it too."
She slipped her fingers up underneath his T-shirt then walked them up his torso.
"Tell me I'm wrong and I'll leave."
"Why would I do that?" he croaked out, trying to ignore her circling finger around his nipple.
"Tell me how you feel then."
Leo stroked his thumbs across her cheekbones, amazed this woman was still here, that she was
his
.
"I don't want to ruin this."
"I know," Erin said. "But it won't ruin it. Being honest and sharing will make this better."
She kissed his lips again, this time lingering a little longer. His fingers flexed where they held her jaw, his nose rubbing softly against hers. She was right. This felt perfect. The connection between them couldn't be denied.
"I love you," he confessed, bracing himself.
Erin hooked her leg over his hip and continued stroking his chest underneath his T-shirt. Her lips met his Adam's apple, whispering "I love you too," before kissing her way to the crook of his neck.
Leo's world tilted on its axis; her touch, her smell, the taste of her on his lips all increased the sensation. But the most exhilarating feeling of all was her love.
She loved him. She'd truly meant those words, even though he found it difficult to comprehend.
"Really? You really do? And Joe?"
Her light laughter loosened the tightness in his chest.
"You're crazy. I adore you both, have since the day you almost totaled my car!"
His body roared into life, demanding he show her how much he loved her. It screamed Erin was his.
"You're taking too long," she smiled, seconds before she pounced.
She rolled him onto his back, covering his body with hers before he laughed and toppled them onto the floor. This time he hovered above her.
"I want you. I want this, but I'll be damned if you're taking charge, Miss Miles."
"I like demanding."
She didn't finish her statement; their lips locked in a hungry, passionate kiss, and once they started, everything swiftly spiraled out of control. Need and comfort drove them on as hands caressed and fingers fumbled. Leo kissed a path along her jaw, down her neck toward her nipple. He pulled the T-shirt harshly off her then engulfed her nipple with his mouth. He flicked at the nub with his tongue, chuckling when Erin pulled on his hair.
"Love you," he muttered into her chest, licking along the pale skin.
"Damn straight," she gasped, pushing her hips up to meet his.
The sadness he'd felt only moments before dispersed as he took comfort from her. His T-shirt followed hers, and they sighed as naked skin touched naked skin. Leo watched her eyes flutter closed in arousal, and he reared back to ghost his hands across her chest. He traced his finger around her breasts, down her torso, and swirled it around her navel. When her fingers reached for his belt buckle, her tongue darted out, licking her lips. A groan escaped him and tt grew deeper when she unbuttoned his jeans.
"Too many clothes, baby," he gasped, pushing his jeans and underwear down his legs before kicking them off completely. "Touch me."
Erin smiled, pulling him back over her and kissing randomly at his chest. His lips met the skin underneath her earlobe, which made her hum. He touched it lightly, and then kissed it again.
"I love this spot," he confessed, feeling her shiver underneath his fingertips.
"I love your lips on my skin. Now stop talking and start
doing
."
He was thinking too much, instead of focusing on the feeling of her skin against his, her hands smoothing down his back and her nails digging into his ass. Her teeth pulled on his lower lip, distracting him completely before she breathed, "Show me you love me."
Erin whispered the words so low he barely heard them, but her bucking hips punctuated them. Unable to hold off any longer, he removed her jeans with haste. He made sure to trail tender kisses along the edge of her panties before removing them. His hands skimmed up her legs, pushing them gently open so he could nestle between her thighs. He hissed as his cock pressed against her pussy, the sensation incredibly erotic.
Erin rubbed his arms as they bracketed her chest. She wrapped her legs around his waist as she kissed his chest again.
Leo rolled them over, letting her straddle him and set the pace, but he hadn't expected her to want him instantly. She lowered herself onto his engorged cock and captured their joined moans with a kiss. She rolled her hips slowly, teasing his lower lip at the same time. His hand toyed with her breast, his hips thrusting with a gentle rhythm.
"Please…" she panted.
He understood, increasing his speed and holding her hands tightly. Erin dropped, connecting her chest to his and nuzzling the hollow of his throat. Her face rose and fell with his sharp pants. With every thrust she kissed his neck, her fingers gripping onto his biceps. This woman had saved him from failure, though she would never accept his reasoning. He tugged her into his embrace, and uttered into her ear, "You're all I'll ever want."
On those words, she whimpered. Her abdomen clenched, and her movements slowed. Watching her in the midst of her orgasm was fascinating, and enough to have him spiraling into his own inferno. He gasped, moaned, stroked, and kissed as he came down from his high, eventually drifting off, if only for a short while.
* * * *
When Erin woke, Leo had moved them onto their sides. She caught him wince as he touched the burns on his back made by the wood floor. He smoothed the strands of her hair from her shoulders and kissed the tip of her nose.
She felt oddly shy. The sex had been fast, aggressive, and she didn't want him regretting the way he'd leaned on her.
"We're going to really do this? You, me, and Joe? I suppose I should start calling him Leo."
She hugged him tightly, hearing the uncertainty as it crept into his tone.
"That's a decision only you can make, but he does suit the name you gave him. I doubt I could get through a single day without you or Joe. I love you both."
He cleared his throat, before blurting out, "You're the only mom Joe has ever known. Are you ready for that? I mean, I'm not asking for you to sacrifice—"
She placed a finger across his lips, stalling his doubts. "I know what you're saying, and trust me, I didn't walk into this with my eyes closed. I'm willing to be whatever Joe needs me to be. Besides, we don't know for sure Carlie is gone for good."
"True. We'll take it a step at a time then?"
"Sure will, but would you mind if the next step was to the couch? Or maybe the bedroom? This floor is harsh."
Leo jumped up and pulled her to standing. She expected a hug or maybe a quick kiss, but instead he lifted her over his shoulder and carried her across the room. He stalled at the door to the bedroom, and she knew he was listening. Making sure his son was sleeping. Slapping her ass, he carried her on into the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed before swiftly following.
She pushed at his chest, laughing. "Shush, you'll wake Joe!"
"You were the one squealing," he shot back, tucking the sheets around them.
They gazed at one another, the atmosphere calming. Erin wanted to memorize every freckle, every dimple, and the exact shade of his eyes. His stunning good looks made it difficult to stop staring.
"I'm so proud of what you said to Carlie."
"It was needed. I failed him early on. I won't be doing that now."
"You didn't fail him. You didn't
know
about him." She smoothed her palm across his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. "All you can do is be the best dad you can from this point onward. That baby adores his daddy, and I have to say I'm rather smitten myself."
A slow, sexy smirk teased the corner of his lips as he drawled, "Oh really? Now that is lucky, because I have to admit I'm full-on head over stupid heels for you, darlin'."
"Show me."
He pulled her against him, pressing his erection against her stomach.
"Yes, ma'am." He chuckled, pinning her wrists above her head and growing serious. "I love you, Erin."
"You'd better," she teased, kissing him before saying, "I love you too, Leo."
"We're going to be amazing at this."
Erin nodded, completely lost for words as he entered her. The relationship may be new, and it may have its problems, but she knew with certainty this was it.
Leo and Joe were hers.
Epilogue
11 months later…
"Are you asleep?"
"Yes," Leo rumbled, rolling onto his back and slipping his arm around Erin's shoulders.
She linked her fingers in his, kissing his chest. He exhaled deeply reveling in her touch.
"Sleeping men don't talk."
"Fiancées who know what's best for them don't wake their men," he teased, receiving a sharp slap to his bare chest.
"There are so many things wrong with that statement."
"Fiancée?"
Erin smiled, staring down at the diamond ring he'd given her only the week before.
"No, that's probably the only thing that was correct."
Leo hugged her tightly, knowing he had everything he never knew he wanted. She had been the light in his darkness and had given him, and his son, so much. He'd fallen so hard for her when he'd been far too confused to know which way was up.
Carlie had never returned, nor had she contacted him. Leo still called her once a month, leaving a message on her voice mail. He kept his end of the bargain by telling her about Joe, even if she didn't appear to be concerned.
"What're you thinking about?" Erin asked, lifting her lips to his ear.
He shivered; his cock instantly waking.
"About how nice it would be to sleep."
"Funny man, Leo Sommers. Funny man. Now what were you really thinking about?"
"Joe," he exhaled, turning to face her. "Carlie. Us."
Erin grinned, smoothing her hand across his cheek.
"It's been a strange ride, huh?"
He kissed her nose, sliding his knee up between her thighs and rocking against her.
"I like the idea of a ride."
She hummed, pushing back and nipping at his jaw but evidently ignoring his comment.
"Sure has. But it's about to get a little bumpy."
Leo stilled, pulling his head back to stare into her dark eyes. His heart crashed against his chest. She was scaring him.
"Well…" she drawled, sitting up and reaching for a small gift bag. "Eleven months ago, I gave you your first Father's Day gift."
"And I'll never forget it," he interrupted.
"Yeah, well, this is definitely one you won't forget."
She handed him the bag, her smile lighting up her face as she waited for him to open it. He eyed her cautiously, dipping his fingers inside and retrieving a long white stick. He frowned, his heart kicking into overdrive as he zoomed in on the two pink lines.
"You're…?"
Erin nodded, chewing on her lower lip.
"We're having another…?"
She giggled. "Yes."
"Holy shit!" he exclaimed, tossing the stick onto the floor and wrapping his arms around her.
So many people would say this was all too soon. They would deny this could be real, but they were all wrong. Leo had found his hope when he'd crashed his car into Erin's, and time would only make them stronger.
Time and a much bigger apartment.
The End